13th June 2014 | Alps Tour Golf
McCarroll shines in sunny Madrid
Brendan McCarroll (c) Agathe Séron
Brendan McCarroll has lifted up his fourth Alps Tour trophy after tough battle against home player Spaniard Alvaro Salto. The Irishman shot final 68 to finish -11 total, one single shot ahead of Salto. On thrid place, England’s Tom Shadbolt who recorded his best result on Alps Tour.
McCarroll teed off in the last group with overnight leader Salto. The latter had a two shot advantage at the beginning of the day but soon holed 4th and 6th for birdie while his playing partner was still level par. Then he holed 8 meters downhill on the hole 7th for another birdie. Salto holed as well. Then the match eventually turn in Mc Carroll advantage after he holed for birdie on 9th and the Spanish player did not.
The win seemed to be easy as Brendan McCarroll had a 4 shot lead with two holes to play but he admitted he was very tired and than he wanted the day to end. The temperature was over 40° on fairways and bodies have endured the heat for days now.
Salto despite finishing at second place confessed he was very happy.
“I did not drive well from 11th to 15th but I am thrilled with the way I finished. I was four shots behind Brendan and I finished just one. It was an exalting conclusion.”
Mc Carroll found a new approach to score on course and he gave the credit of this to new coach John Hession.
“The key this week is that I am working with a life coach. He is different because he helped me on course and outside the course. The key is I tried to stay in the present, not thinking about the future or what would be the next shot. I keep the same routine and for example I managed to do that very well with putting this week. I used to hit some silly shots that I don’t any more.
But on the last hole I had a couple of tired swing, I struggled with the heat. On the 18th, I knew he was going to make it (8 meters)! I was shaking for my one meter putt…”
“I would like to thank very my friends who came and support me. I thank also Simon (Ward) and Brian (Casey) for travelling with me this week and thank you Alps Tour and Alessandro, your team is fantastique!”
With this win, Brendan McCarroll enters the Top 5 of the Alps Tour ranking at third position behind Thomas Elissalde, second and Italy’s Nino Bertasio, still leading. Andrea Romano is fourth and Alex Christie fifth.
From Madrid
Agathe Séron
